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Illinois Public Media

Cong. Davis Weighs In On Hagel Resignation

Congressman Rodney Davis says the resignation of U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is an example of President Obama's weakness on foreign policy.

Hagel resigned Monday after serving at the Pentagon for nearly two years.

Davis, a Republican representing Illinois' 13th district, says Hagel's departure leaves Congress with little direction in military action against the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

"I'm disappointed that we're seeing another change within the Department of Defense, especially since because I supported the president in his mission that he's currently engaged in against ISIS because our military leaders told us that this plan would work," he said.

The U.S. has been carrying out airstrikes since the summer, but ISIS keeps making territorial gains in parts of Iraq thought to have been stabilized during American occupation.

Davis said while he appreciated Hagel's military background and honesty, he saw the defense secretary's appointment as a political move by the White House.

The Congressman said he hopes the next defense secretary will put American security their top priority.